***
Tannis, the city master, dwelt in a large but simple mansion. It had a plain stone floor, a brick fireplace, and some bearskin rugs scattered about. His home was well-guarded against thieves. Two of those guards stood behind Tannis leaning against oaken barrels and holding crossbows, while Tannis sat at a long table eating a fancy meal and drinking wine. A jar of rusty-looking powder stood near his plate, and every so often he dipped his fingers in it and licked them.
"Welcome, Renstad," Tannis said.
"Welcome, indeed!" Renstad snarled. "Where's the woman who has accused me of being a criminal?"
"In a safe place," Tannis replied through a mouthful of meat. He drank deeply, and then did his strange finger-dipping ritual in the crimson powder again. "She has told her story. Now I await yours. I want to know everything. Yes, everything." He wiped his mouth on a cloth napkin. "Hold nothing back."
His eyes blazing, Renstad revealed all he knew, from the time he'd first met Kelden and his friends until the present. "And that's it," he finished. "We have serious matters to discuss. But as long as I have to deal with these false accusations, precious time is being wasted."
Tannis sighed. "False accusations, you say?" He examined his wine goblet thoughtfully. His eyes were red-rimmed, holding a strange, distant look. "What is your proof?"
"Where is her proof?" said Renstad. "The burden lies with her."
"Exactly," said Tannis. "Which is why I have jailed her. She must prove her story in order to be released."
"You jailed her?" said Dameon. "This is absurd."
"Silence," Tannis ordered. "I will speak to Renstad only. You others are thieves and liars. You have lied to Renstad. You have corrupted his mind. You will be jailed at once!"
"My tower raven is due to return anytime," said Renstad. "In fact, he's overdue. I sent him to bring word from the seers of Valganleer. Then we'll know the truth."
"I make the laws in this city," said Tannis, "not the seers. These men stole a merchant's wagon and dumped his cargo. They are rogues of the worst kind. But I'm a fair man. I'll have them imprisoned until your raven returns. Then we'll hold a fair trial to decide what punishments should be carried out."
"And what of me?" said Renstad. "Am I to be jailed as well?"
Tannis sighed. "No, I can't have that--not a man of your stature. I trust your word over the oracle's, which is why she now resides in my personal dungeon below. But you'll have to be temporarily relieved of command. Wessop can take over for you."
"This is all madness!" said Renstad. "I can't believe you're behaving this way, Tannis. I never would have imagined it. What has happened to you? This is me you're talking to, not some stranger."
"Enough," said Tannis. "We'll talk alone, after the others have been escorted below." He nodded to his men. "Take them down to the dungeon. Put them in my most secure cell--the Warding Chamber."
"You can't do this!" said Kelden, panic overtaking him. "We can't linger in this city. We're a danger to your people and we must be set free."
"In time, you may be allowed to leave," said Tannis. "That time is not now."
Dameon smiled. "This isn't over, city master. This plan will fail. Tell that to whoever controls you. Tell them that we will escape, that no prison can hold us."
Tannis motioned to his guards. "Take his mace, and any other weapons they have."
Dameon held up the glowing mace. "I won't surrender my link. And my first target will be you, city master. Can you stop the blow that will certainly fall upon you? Try to take this mace, and you'll soon know. Otherwise, we'll go willingly."
The guards raised their crossbows, their faces tense.
"You're not in a position to make demands," said Tannis, eyeing the mace nervously. "You'll do as I say!"
"If you know the ways of sorcerers," said Dameon, "you should realize I fully intend to fight to the death. I cannot be coerced to part with my link by intimidation."
"Dameon speaks true, Tannis," said Wessop. "I suggest we let him keep his weapon to avoid bloodshed."
Seeing that Dameon wasn't backing down, Tannis shrugged. "It doesn't matter. That weapon will do nothing to help you escape the cell I'm going to put you in. There is no escape from the Warding Chamber. Keep your mace and go peacefully. We'll get this all straightened out in due time."
"This isn't over," Dameon repeated.
Tannis grinned. "It's over and done with. Wait and see." He shot Thayan a disgusted look. "And take your monster with you. I know what he is."
Thayan's eyes smoldered with darkness. "Watch your tongue," he whispered, "or it might get torn from your mouth."
Tannis smirked and waved him away. "Over and done with."